News from Heart of America Council, BSA - February

Camping/Program Department Updates February 2008 Greetings! Billing statements for the 2008 Boy Scout Summer Camping experiences were mailed out on January 23rd to the primary contact on record. The first camp payment of 1/2 the balance is due on or before February 20th. In 2007, over 6,700 Boy Scouts attended either the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation or the Theodore Naish Scout Reservation. By making your draw reservation you have taken the first step to ensure that the Boy Scouts in your unit have a memorable camping experience. Please visit the Council web-site in the middle of March to view the latest release of the Leader's Guide. If your Boy Scout troop has a Scout or Scouts that cannot go to camp with your troop due to a schedule conflict please call (816) 569-4930 to find alternate options. The Heart of America Council wants to ensure that all Scouts wanting to go to camp have the opportunity.

Rank Advancement Updates Revised Eagle Rank Application The National Council, BSA has revised the Eagle Scout Rank Application. Please review your forms to ensure that form No. 58-728, now shows under Requirement 5, the name of the candidate's Eagle project, as well as the grand total of hours devoted to it. The new application will be required beginning May 1, 2008. Click Here to Print off the Revised Application Several Boy Scout rank requirements have been updated for 2008. Please click on the link below to visit the National Advancement and Awards page online to learn what they are before you purchase your 2008 Advancement books. National 2008 Advancement & Awards Venturing Winter Event GAGE Center, Feb. 22-23, 2008 The Heart of America Council and the Venturing Officers Association will be hosting a Lock-in at the GAGE Center in Blue Springs, MO. Events included are High and Low Rock wall climbing, Bump city, trampolines, Inflatable games, High Ropes Course and much more. Please visit the Council website for more information. Mic-O-Say White Paint Nominations Due March 1st Click here to print off an application. Jamboree 2010 100 Years of Scouting Check out the Jamboree 2010 Promotional video for a little shot of adrenaline. The 100th Anniversary of BSA is not that far off, so start planning for the time of your life!! View the video now!! Learn more about the 100th Anniversary of Scouting. Wilderness First Aid Course March 1 (8-5) - March 2 (8-12:30) Even the most experienced outdoorsman can be injured while exploring the wilderness. Johnson County Med-Act will be conducting a Wilderness First Aid Course that meets BSA Requirements for Wilderness First Aid. Click here for more information. Truman Library Merit Badge Program March 29, 2008 Earn all the requirements for American Heritage or Citizenship in the Nation Merit Badge and tour the Truman Library and Museum. Registration will be online only beginning February 29th at 9:00 am!! Click here to learn more about the program.

ArrowCorps 5 - June 7-14, 2008 Time is running out to sign up for Five Sites, Five Weeks, Five Thousand Arrowman - the ArrowCorps5 project will be the largest single service project in the history of the Boy Scouts of America and promises to inspire Arrowmen to greater service. HOAC will be attending the June 7-14: ArrowCorps5 Service Project at Mark Twain National Forest, MO. The project fee is $250 per person per week. This does not include travel or personal equipment. Tamegonit Lodge will pay $50 per person, for one National Service Project. For more information please visit the ArrowCorp5 website. Order of the Arrow Unit Election Tips As your unit begins to prepare for its Order of the Arrow Unit Election, the Lodge Executive Committee has assembled a few helpful hints to make your election as successful as possible. Prepare the ballot at least a week ahead of time Have sufficient information on all candidates prior to the night of the election Consider adult nomination before the date of the election Ensure necessary number of youth is present at the election Double check youth candidates for eligibility For more information contact your OA Chapter Chief. Click here to learn more about Order of the Arrow.